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This Week in Aspen: June 18-24, 2018

Start planning your weekly itinerary in Aspen with the many options below:

Monday, June 18

Aspen Summer Words (June 18 – June 21, various locations). Now in its 43rd year, the Aspen Summer Words writing conference and literary festival will feature award-winning authors at five public events. Speakers include fiction writers J. Courtney Sullivan and Anthony Marra, as well as Hidden Figures author Margot Lee Shetterly, among several others, discussing topics on the craft of writing, working with publishers and being an artist in this cultural moment. The Summer Benefit Dinner on June 19 will feature Mohsin Hamid, winner of the inaugural Aspen Words Literary Prize, in conversation with Dan Porterfield, at the Hotel Jerome. For more information click here. Tickets available for purchase at the door of The Belly Up or The Gant events. Benefit tickets must be purchased in advance.

Aspen Summer Words: How to Start a Writing Project and Make It to the Finish Line (3:30-4:30 p.m., The Gant Conference Center). Panelists Helen Schulman, Anthony Marra, Tina Chang and Bruce Handy will come together with moderator Caroline Tory to share advice on how to launch a new project, navigate the revision stage and make it to the finish line. Series passes can be purchased in advance. $25 individual event tickets must be purchased at the door of the event – no advance sales for tickets.

Tuesday, June 19

Aspen Film & WindWalkers Present: THE RIDER (6 p.m., Isis Theatre). Aspen Film and WindWalkers are pleased to present a benefit screening of the award-winning film THE RIDER taking place Tuesday, June 19. The evening will kick off at 6 pm with a reception at Kemo Sabe followed a 7:30 pm screening at the Isis Theatre in Aspen. Q&A with retired pro bronco rider Braxten Nielsen immediately following the screening. This collaboration between the two Roaring Fork Valley nonprofits celebrates the spirit of our community by bringing horse lovers and film lovers together in support of both organizations. Tickets are $50 for both the screening & reception or $25 for the screening only and can be purchased online here.

Wednesday, June 20

Jessica Catto Dialogue featuring Philipp Hildebrand (6 p.m., Harris Concert Hall). Join ACES for a lecture from the Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Philipp Hildebrand. BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, notably started the 2018 year off with a declaration to business leaders that their companies must contribute to society, not just make profits, if they want to receive BlackRock's support. BlackRock additionally concludes that "investors can no longer ignore climate change," and that "climate-aware investing is possible without compromising on traditional goals of maximizing investment returns." As Vice Chairman, Philipp Hildebrand has a deep understanding of this revolutionary investment mindset currently disrupting Wall Street. In his lecture​, "Sustainable Investing: A Turning Point," he will offer his insight on the fascinating intersection of climate change, investments, and social purpose. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP at aspennature.org.

Aspen Film & Aspen Art Museum Present Movies at the Museum: I’M NOT THERE (8 p.m., Aspen Art Museum). This summer, enjoy free open-air cinema on the Roof Deck Sculpture Garden of the Aspen Art Museum (AAM) through the film program The Loop, presented by the AAM and Aspen Film. Inspired by Jay DeFeo’s exhibition The Ripple Effect, which examines an icon and her lasting impact on artists today, these films playfully capture the complexities of references and homages. Genres range from fantasy, drama, and musical to documentaries, with stories that take us forward by looping back.

Thursday, June 21

Aspen Summer Words: The Take Away (Gant Conference Center, 4-5:15 p.m.). After a creative, inspiring week in Aspen, how do you keep the momentum going when you return to your writing desk? Summer Words faculty share their advice and discuss what they wish they’d known before publishing their first books, among other topics. Panelists include Helen Schulman, Tina Chang, Heather Harpham, Peter Ho Davies, Anthony Marra. Unless you have a pass for the Summer Words public events, $25 individual event tickets must be purchased at the door of the event.

Friday, June 22

Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience (June 22- June 30, Benedict Music Tent). The JAS June Experience features two nights of headline concerts at the spectacular Benedict Music Tent in Aspen, plus multiple shows at the JAS Cafe. Enjoy a FREE Lawn Party on the Music Tent Grounds before the main shows and an out of this world VIP Experience! This year’s lineup includes Lizz Wright, Leslie Odom Jr., Lyle Lovett and his large band, Paa Kow, and more. For ticket prices and festival information visit Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ June Experience website.

Saturday, June 23

Shakedown Street (9:30 p.m., Belly Up). Head to Belly Up Saturday night for a free show (no cover until 10 p.m.) from Shakedown Street, one of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world.

Sunday, June 24

JAS Café presents: Raul Midón (7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Cooking School of Aspen). Join Jazz Aspen Snowmass for a JAS Cafe intimate performance with Raul Midón at the Cooking School of Aspen. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midón has earned recognition as one of music’s most distinctive and searching voices – “a one-man band… who is spiritually connected,” according to The New York Times. Dinner packages are available for the 7 p.m. show. For more information and tickets click here.

For a full calendar listing of events for the upcoming week and beyond click here.